Anifa Mvuemba Makes History With Her Brand Hanifa's Virtual 3D Fashion Show

Anifa M is a 29-year-old black fashion designer with Congolese and Kenyan roots. Anifa began her fashion brand Hanifa when she just 21, by creating her own outfits and designs for friends. With the assistance of social media, Hanifa has continued to flourish and has been worn by Lizzo, Ciara, Karrueche Tran, Claire Sulmers, and many more!

This past weekend, Anifa shocked the world and broke the internet with a virtual 3D fashion show to premiere the newest Hanifa collection, Pink Label Congo. The 3D fashion show premiered via Instagram live, the fashion show included information about the inspiration behind the Congo inspired line. Throughout the presentation, Anifa discussed the Coltan mining conditions in the Congo and how they have negatively impacted young children and families. According to the live show “60-70% of the world’s coltan comes from Congo and it is sold illegally through the black market.” Designing this collection with the purpose of raising awareness for mining conditions will hopefully lead to better conditions and aid for people that have been affected. Most importantly, Anifa wants for people to start doing their own research on Congo and to feel empowered by this capsule collection.

“I did prints my own way, I did color my own way. And every single color palette that we used in this collection has meaning to it. It has intention behind it. It has a story. It has purpose.” - Anifa M

Once the fashion show commenced, 3D models strutted to the beat of African drums. The movement, the flow, the curves of the 3D model bodies, and the details in every design were meticulous and executed exceptionally. The pieces in the new collection feature alluring prints, ruching, cinched waist lines, and formfitting silhouettes. What’s most breathtaking about this reveal is how authentic the physique of the 3D models appeared in comparison to real women. Hanifa’s digital debut for their Pink Congo Collection is absolutely revolutionary; a testament to how limitless the curation and presentation of garments can be with technology. For future brands that may attempt to mimic what Anifa has accomplished with the use of technology for her brand, they should surely give credit where it’s due. Anifa has reformed the future of fashion and the way in which the masses are able to consume it.

Watch the fashion show down below.

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Riddled with a painful history, the beauty of Congo is often untapped and overlooked. The gentleness, beauty, history, poise, majesty, strength, power, and hope of the Congolese spirit inspired this collection. When creating each piece, I was reminded of the stories my mother told me of the women she knew back home in Congo. Women who suffered great loss but still, mustered every ounce of strength everyday to show up. My hope is that this collection inspires all women to stand tall in their power and like the Democratic Republic of Congo, to use their history, whether pretty or painful — to redesign their future. My country, the land of Congo, is ripe with an abundance of natural resources — the greatest of which are its people — its women. Hanifa presents.... Pink Label Congo. Now available at Hanifa.co

A post shared by Hanifa (@hanifaofficial) on May 22, 2020 at 9:39pm PDT

Shop the #PinkLabelCongo Collection!

Shop H.E.R.'s Debut Eyewear Collection with DIFF Eyewear

H.E.R has entered the realm of fashion again with her new eyewear line collaboration through DIFF Eyewear. This new collection is the perfect addition to her brand considering that every appearance she makes includes an incredible signature pair of shades. 

The new collection includes four exclusive shades retailing for $85 each. Every pair of frames will include a special edition trifold case + cleaning cloth. DIFF Eyewear also has a charitable initiative through their partnership with Sightsavers, an international charity; which makes for guilt free shopping! “Every pair of DIFFs sold helps to provide the gift of sight to someone in need through eye exams, surgeries, glasses, medicine, and more.”

Eyewear is an amazing accessory to take your ootd to the next level. So what are you waiting for?! Check out the shades below and get shopping! 

Bella $85


Driver $85

Driver $85

Bella $85

Lauren London Announces "FOREVER STRONGER" in Collaboration with PUMA

Lauren London just announced her new collection #FOREVERSTRONGER in collaboration with Puma. This line follows the release of the PUMA x TMC capsule collection that sold out back in September this year.

The new line is showcased with a campaign that features a poem written by the late Nipsey Hussle’s sister, Samantha Smith. The poem reflects the light, growth, and wisdom that has come from Hussle’s passing. While also giving a nod to a stronger future. Smith’s words are potent and will continue to reverberate with people everywhere.

The visuals in the video illuminate the neighborhood of South Los Angeles and the essence of Nipsey Hussle. 

You can check out full video down below! 💙🏁🏁🏁

Directed by @Topshelfjunior

Musical Score by @Rance1500

"HYWI?" '90s Inspired Looks: Hip Hop and R&B's Influence on Fashion

Teyana Taylor just partnered with King Combs for a new song titled “HYWI?”. The new track is sexy and sultry reminiscent of ‘90s hip hop and R&B. This new fiery track samples Ma$e and Total’s “What You Want” from Ma$e’s grammy nominated album ‘Harlem World’ that released back in 1997. “HYWI?” was written by Teyana Taylor, King Combs, and Eric Bellinger; the production was by Boogzdabeast, Hitmaka, and Cardiak. Together this team created a track that’s a banger and coupled with its newly released visual; together the music and the carefully crafted fits take viewers back to the feel good vibes of the ‘90s.

Since the inception of hip hop and R&B, the creatives of this genre have greatly impacted fashion. And have always been the leaders of dictating what is cool and trendy for the masses to follow. From head to toe, every hairstyle, piece of clothing, and accessory is a statement true to the artist that wears it. Adorning oneself in the best of the best clothing in the industry is central to fashion in hip hop and R&B. During the ‘90s we really got to see black artists wearing designer luxury pieces and creating streetwear looks.

Misa Hylton, often referred to as “Fashion Architect” is one of the pioneers and inspiration behind the era of ‘90s fashion in hip hop and R&B. Hylton is responsible for so many iconic looks for artists like Lil’ Kim, Mary J Blige, Missy Elliot, Faith Evans, Jodeci, and a plethora of others. Therefore, it was a no brainer that Hylton lend her exemplary work and creative eye to the video. Hylton provided custom designed pieces through her partnership with MCM Worldwide (MCM x Misa Hylton). The custom pieces featured MCM’s signature logo along with neon orange lines for a pop of color against the cognac design. The MCM looks were paired with Timbs and black snapbacks for the dancers.

In addition to the custom MCM looks, Teyana & King Combs were dripped in metallic silver vintage pieces courtesy of Karl Kani. Teyana rocked the Dream Crop Jacket and Passion Joggers, while King Combs wore the Kani Bubble Coat and Passion Joggers. This look was perfect for an inspired remake of Hype Williams “fish-eye” tunnel set from the “Mo Money Mo Problems” video for The Notorious B.I.G featuring Ma$e and Puff Daddy. The metallic silver outfits really pop and compliment the tunnel scenes flawlessly.

The other scenes in “HYWI?” are influenced by LL Cool J’s “Doin’ It” video and Toni Braxton’s “Just Be a Man About it” video. The looks and set design utilized to pay homage to the aforementioned videos were curated with pieces from brands like Versace, CHANEL, and AKIRA Official.

Teyana Taylor as Key Wardrobe, EJ King as Wardrobe, Custom Design by MCM X Misa Hylton, and the entire team involved with this video truly nailed it. This video screams all that’s sexy and smooth about the ‘90s effortlessly. It embodies the history and artistry of telling stories through music videos and the significance of selecting the right clothing and overall looks to really bring the music to life.

Stream and download “HYWI?” everywhere now!

Make sure you also check out the “HYWI?” video below!

Top Five Fashion Authorities Changing The Game

Jahleel Weaver

Client(s): Rihanna

Age: 32 years old 

Title: Stylist & Junior Creative Director for Fenty 

Styling Rihanna since 2016

Style Inspo: Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele

Weaver's first celebrity gig was on the set of an Italian Vogue shoot for Usher

"There will always be something in the collection that will be attainable" ~ Jahleel Weaver in regards to Fenty Puma

"There are no rules to how you get dressed" ~Jahleel Weaver: interview with The Cut

Follow Jahleel Weaver @illjahjah

#Styledbyjahjah

*Click through below to view Weaver's Work

Kollin Carter

Client(s): Cardi B

Age: 27 years old 

Title: Stylist & Contributing Fashion editor for ELLE Indonesia 

Styling Cardi B since Spring of 2017 

Style Inspo: Law Roach, Misa Hylton 

 Romeo Hunte and Jerome LaMaar are two of Carter's and Cardi's  favorite designers

Believes red carpet looks for Cardi B = "Timeless" 

Performance looks = "Tacky and fun. Tacky is gaudy & trendy". 

Follow Kollin Carter @kollincarter

#StyledbyKollinCarter 

*Click through below to view Carter's Work

Apuje Kalu

Client(s): Kofi Soriboe, Jussie Smollet, Jay R Ellis, Trevor Jackson, Marsai Martin, Dewanda Wise, and Nipsey Hussle

Age: 36 years old 

Title: Stylist & Creative Director

Styling prior to 2012

Style Inspo: The culture of Nigeria & Washington D.C. Loves Prints

  “Tailoring is Key”~ Apuje Kalu

 Well versed in the industry

Responsible for all your faves looking like wholesome snacks

Follow Apuje Kalu @apuje

#Styledbyapuje

*Click through below to view Apuje's Work 

Scot Louie

Client(s): Ryan Destiny, Normani Kordei, and Iskra

Age: 25 years old 

Title: Stylist

Styling since he was 15

Style Inspo: “Ghetto Luxe”. Kim Kardashian, Rachel Zoe, and Coco Chanel

Louie's first celebrity gig was on the set of the Real Housewives of New Jersey

Creator of the Model Diet

Follow Scot Louie @scotlouie

#FashionNEEDSMe

*Click through below to view Louie's Work

Danasia Sutton

Client(s): Justine Skye & Kehlani

Age: 24 years old

Title: Stylist

Styling since 2015 with V Files 

Style Inspo: June Ambrose 

Joined forces with Kehlani’s glam squad during this year’s NYFW. Kehlani was labeled as “the front row star of NYFW Fall 2018” by Vogue.

Serving as the ultimate cosign for Sutton as a young Stylist

Follow Danasia Sutton @danasia_sutton

#Danasiastyledme 

*Click through below to view Sutton's Work